Instrumental Challenges

The Good Schools Guide describes music at South Hampstead as: “a strong point, with numerous opportunities at all levels.” Testament to this ethos of inclusive excellence are our Grade 1 Challenge and endangered instrument programmes.

Each year, we offer all our new Year 7 pupils the opportunity to take up an ‘endangered instrument’ free of charge for half a term. This year, more than a dozen girls, who have recently started at the Senior School, are now taking up new instruments, including the french horn, oboe, trombone and bassoon.

A number of staff are also embracing the challenge of learning an instrument from scratch. Now in its fifth year, the Grade 1 Challenge encourages our talented music students to teach their teachers. This year, 14 members of staff are taking up lessons with pupils – some are returning to try another instrument, while others are continuing to progress and attempt higher grades. Instruments include singing, cello, violin, clarinet, flute, piano, saxophone and drums. We look forward to hearing their progress…